The Nebraska Southeast District Fisheries Meeting unveiled exciting developments for local anglers, with three new recreational areas set to open soon, enhancing fishing opportunities in the Omaha Metro. The new sites—Mad Bear Recreation Area, Marlin Peterman Recreation Area, and a third unnamed location—will feature hand launch access for paddle crafts, fishing piers, and a variety of fish species including bass, bluegills, catfish, and crappie.

Mad Bear Recreation Area, located at 180th and Giles, spans 17 acres and will include ADA-accessible fishing piers and breakwaters. Meanwhile, Marlin Peterman Recreation Area, situated at 180th and Port, will cover 20 acres and is designed to support smallmouth bass and yellow perch, with plans to introduce trout stocking to improve catch rates.

In addition to these new areas, the meeting highlighted a significant change in largemouth bass regulations aimed at improving fish size and population health. An experimental regulation will establish a protected slot for bass measuring 15 to 18 inches, allowing anglers to keep five fish daily, with only one exceeding 18 inches. This initiative seeks to reduce competition among smaller bass and promote healthier growth rates.

The new regulations will be implemented at several locations, including Prairie Queen and Duck Creek, with an evaluation process in partnership with the University of Nebraska's School of Natural Resources to assess their effectiveness. These changes reflect a proactive approach to fisheries management, ensuring sustainable fishing experiences for the community while enhancing the overall health of local aquatic ecosystems.